21 Seconds, Helen and Waterfalls

Cleveland, Georgia,  (high 81, low 61)


this post was supposed to go out yesterday, but I had a few issues that I still haven't worked out.

When I got onto the computer yesterday morning I saw an email from Google telling me someone from Chile had tried to hack my account and they recommended I change my password.  I did, but for some reason Live Writer keeps sending me a message saying "Windows Live Writer can't log on to the remote server using the user name and password."

I changed my Blogger password and tried to log back on to Live Writer, but I keep getting the same error message.  

So this morning, I am having to try to post this blog via Blogger.....and I hate posting through Blogger!!!!

I tried the cut and paste method and that was real fun since it didn't paste the photos.

21 SECONDS

Al is a big Miami Heat fan and has been watching the playoff for what seems like forever.  :)
We’ve had quite a few early mornings and long days, so Al is struggling to stay awake to watch these games.       With 21 seconds to go and Miami was down 5 points, Al  he went to bed, not wanting to watch the victory celebration by the Spurs.  As it turns out, a lot happened in that last few seconds because the Miami Heat ended up winning the game and Al missed it!



Helen
On Monday, we drove to the city of Helen, Georgia.  It’s also called Alpine Helen. 
It’s your typical touristy little town, with lots of little shops and restaurants.

from the web:

In the late 1960’s, Helen was revitalized from a remote mountain community into a replica of a quaint Alpine Village located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Helen is 15 miles off Highway 365/I-985 and located an hour and a half north of Atlanta via I-85 or GA Hwy. 400. Currently, Helen is one of the top tourist destinations in the state.

Helen was definitely an interesting place to see, but we weren’t overwhelmed by it.  It might be more fun in the fall when they have more activities.


We are learning that this area is loaded with fun and touristy things to do.  It would take years to see and do all of what this area has to offer.

We are close to the Appalachian trail, but there are many, many other trails and waterfalls in any direction you choose to go.  The scenery is beautiful, but their main tourist season is October for the fall colors.  We certainly intend to be here then.

Yesterday, we hung around the house a while to see what the weather was going to do.  It had been raining off and on and we didn’t want to cross Blood Mountain in a downpour.  We ended up back in Blairsville, then over to Hiawassee for lunch at a Mexican restaurant.  The restaurant is across the street and up the hill from a huge lake.  What a beautiful view. It was pretty cloudy and rainy, so I didn’t get any pictures.  Next time!

The drive from Blairsville to Hiawassee was incredible.  Rolling hills, mountains and beautiful green valleys.

Since it was raining, this next picture is the best I could get.  We will be back there too!

After a wonderful Mexican lunch, we headed back towards Cleveland.  We saw a sign for Tallulah Gorge State Park, and  took a detour.  By this time it was after 5pm, so we didn’t get to see much, but it was worth our $5 entrance fee.

There are some  strenuous hiking trails to the falls.


It started off easy with nicely padded trails.

A sign of things to come

We took a short walk out to the waterfall viewing area, but to really see them, you need to hike down the 3 million stairs.   One day, we will do that. 

We haven't decided when we'll be leaving.  We'd love to stay until November, but Al has to get back to Tampa to finalize the sale of the business, so I guess we'll be leaving soon.  

We will sure hate to leave!